Maps & walking

Find your way back to camp

A few simple habits before a walk can save a lot of campsite guesswork later.

A woodland walking path beside a lake.

Record the right spot

A coil of cord, tent stakes and mallet.
Cord & camp fixings

Save a pin at your actual campsite, not just the campground entrance. Add the site number, a photo of the junction nearby and any useful access notes. Let your phone settle on a location fix and check whether the pin appears plausible. GPS reception can be less reliable under cover or near steep terrain.

Prepare your map before leaving

A folded map, compass and small daypack.
Maps & walking

Open your chosen navigation app while connected and confirm that the area is available offline if you need it. Organic Maps is a free option for downloadable maps. Check whether relevant paths are shown; any map can be incomplete. An official printed campground map is a useful second reference.

A walking trail beside a wooded lake.
Worth remembering

Save the camp location before you set off.

Use a route, not only an arrow

A folded map, compass and small daypack.
Maps & walking

A direction arrow or straight line to camp does not know about fences, rivers, private land or steep ground. Follow an appropriate established route. Keep track of junctions, turn around with enough daylight and leave your planned route and return time with someone who can act if you do not return.

Before you go

Sources & further reading

Read the original guidance for more detail. Product reviews and demonstrations belong to their publishers.

Guide overview